2023 will be rich with days off from work, so you can already start thinking about your hiking calendar and plan your next walk or bike ride along the route. Especially in Italy, this year will be full of long weekends due to national holidays. By organising yourself properly and optimising your holidays, you can plan several long weekends for walking in all seasons, at any time of year!
The ‘low season’ has many advantages: you have the chance to experience nature without the hustle and bustle of the high season, without the excessive heat, and you can take a real break from tasks and accumulated stress during daily routine at any time.
What better way to start the year than by recharging your batteries and taking in the beauty of the winter landscapes of the Via Francigena? Despite the cold and sometimes snow on the roads, winter is a perfect season to pull out your backpack, rain jacket and walking shoes, and head out to enjoy the charms of the Via’s route, step after step.
Of course, one must always choose carefully which stages to walk, because it can be a demanding experience: you will have to take the necessary precautions to undertake a winter hike in total safety. Here are some tips:
- Choose an itinerary appropriate for your experience and physical preparation (between levels T, E, EE, but also the number of kilometres to cover and the altitude difference). To consult the maps and find out the details of the stages, you can use the AllTrails App (try it clicking here).
- Equip yourself with appropriate clothing and accessories to stay dry at all times. You can find lots of advice on this topic by clicking here.
- Pay attention to signposting and try not to walk in the dark: remember to always check sunrise and sunset times as well as the weather before setting off.
All that is left is to set the next departure date and take the opportunity to enjoy landscapes that are often crowded in summer, immersing yourself in nature, food and traditions of the Via Francigena territories. In spring, the events organised along the itinerary will also return, such as our ever-lasting ‘I Love Francigena‘ group hikes.
Follow us on our channels so you don’t miss the upcoming events!
